Electric ironing device



A. a. LC-ZHERETON 2,284,132

' ELECTRIC IRONING' DEVICE Filed Aug.' 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l l5 7, mg l 7; 2 /////7/// ,2

M [N VENTOR' fbu. ATTO NEY v May 26, 1942. v A. B. CHERETON 2,284,132

ELECTRIC IRONING DEVICE Filed Aug. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y 21" r I INVEOIR E, fly 3.. r/kregw TTORIVE YS.

Patented May 26, 1942 ELECTRIC IRONING DEVICE Avery B. Chereton, Detroit, Mich.,' assignor to Electrical Products Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 25, 1938, Serial No. 226,779

6 Claims. (Cl. 200-138) The present invention relates "to electric ironing devices, and in particular provides an electric ironing device of the so-called cordless type,

, embodying improvements over the construction described and claimed in the co-pending application of Ralph E. Beach, Serial No. 23,616, filed'May 27, 1935, now Patent No. 2,151,888, granted March 28, 1939, under which the assignee of the present application is an exclusive licensee.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an electric ironing device of the above generally indicated character, which is extremely efficienta-nd satisfactory in operation; which may be readily and economically manufactured, assembled, and serviced; which is fully automatic and safe in its operation, and which embodies improved features of adjustability to suit different ironing conditions.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide an ironing device of the above generally indicated character, embodying improved means in the iron construction, whereby heat- Figure6 is a view in top plan,

line 66 of Figure 1; and

conductivity between the upper and lower sole plates is improved; to provide such a construction embodying an improved mounting and protective assembly for the controlling bi-metal unit; and to provide such a construction enibodyin g improved mechanism for adjusting the temperature setting of the iron; and to provide a generally improved iron construction as a whole. v I

With the above as well as other objects in view, which appear in'the following description and in the appended claims, a preferred but illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying throughout which corresponding reference characters are used to designatecorresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, with certain of the parts broken away so as to be shown in section, of the improved iron of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view, showing in detail the structural elements which compose the iron shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the improved stand of the present invention, with theiron 5Q removed;

Figure 4 is a view in vertical transverse section, taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view in vertical'transverse section, taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

drawings,

Figure 7 is a'fragmentary view in detail, taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 1.

It will be appreciated from a complete understanding of the present invention that certain of the structural improvements thereof may, in the broader aspects, be embodied in electric ironing devices of widely differing constructions and intended for use under widely difiering service conditions. In a more restricted sense, however, and in the preferred form thereof, the improvements of the present invention have particular advantage and utility when embodied in electric irons of the so-called cordless type. and, in an illustrative but not a limiting sense, such im'- provements are so disclosed in the present application, 1

' Referring to the drawings, the improved ironing device of the present invention, comprises the iron designated as a whole as H), and the iron stand, designated as a whole as l2. Stated in a general way, the iron. i0 contains the electric heating element, and the stand l2, upon which the iron is adapted to rest, comprises means for forming an automatic temperature controlled connection between the heating element and a source of power. In service, ac-

cordingly, the act of resting the iron in prede termined position upon the stand l2 connects the heating element within the iron to the source of heating current, subject however to the action of the hereinafter described thermostatically controlled mechanism, which serves to automatically interrupt the heatingcurrent when the temperature of the iron reaches a predetermined value. The removal of the iron ill from the stand l2 interrupts the heating circuit, since the usual ironing cordis connected only to the stand and not to the iron.

The iron is constructed and arranged sufficient capacity to maintain the sole plate at substantially the proper ironing temperature 5 during the usual ironing interval between the time when the iron is removed from the stand and the time when it is replaced thereon for the purpose of readjusting the article being ironed. If at the time the iron is replaced upon the stand, the temperature thereof has fallen below the value to which the thermostatic mechanism is set, such replacement automatically re- .completes the heating circuit, which circuit is again broken by the thermostatically controlled mechanism as soon as the proper temperature taken along the to havehas been reached, or is broken by the removal of the iron from the stand.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the iron I comprises generally av handle I4, an outer shell I6, upper and lower sole plates I8 and 20, a heating element 22, an improved heat conducting element 24, and a terminal assembly comprising the terminals 26 and 28. The handle I4 is preferably formed of a suitable heat insulating material, so that it remains in a relatively cool condition throughout the ironing operation', and at its end is provided with outwardly projecting studs 30 and 32. which are adapted to be passed through openings 34 .and 36, formed in the shell l6, so as to form a connection between the shell and the handle. Preferably and as illustrated, insulating washers 38 and 40 (Fig. 1) are interposed between the handle I4 and the shell I0, so that they provide an insulating air space between these members.

The shell I6 is preferably constituted as a single sheet metal stamping, of generally triangular form in plain view, but provided with the integrally formed rearwardly .overhanging skirt portion 42. enclosure for the terminals 26 and 28, which project rearwardly and outwardly from the heating chamber of the iron for connection to cooperating stationary terminals 44 and 46 (Fig. 3) carried by the stand I2. The rearwardly projecting portion 42 of the shell I6 is provided with lateral downwardly projecting side portions 48 and 50, which serve as lateral enclosures for the terminal 26 and 28 and also serve as guide elements to guide the movements of the iron I0 when it is placed upon the stand, which guiding relation is described in more detail hereinafter.

The heating and heat storage structure for the iron I0 is constituted by the upper sole plate I8, the heating element 22, and the lower sole plate 20,. The sole plates I8 and 20 are constructed, preferably of cast iron, or equivalent material having relative high heat storage capacity, and are of generally triangular form, in conformity to the outline of the shell I6. It will be appreciated that the lower surface of the lower sole plate 20 constitutes the ironing surface of the iron I0. The heating element 22, which may .be of generally conventional construction, comprises a three layer mica or other insulating frame structure having a base 52, and spaced but forwardly converging legs 54 and 56, which are connected together at their forward ends 56. The current ,conducting element 60 is conventionally wound upon the intermediate layer of the mica frame structure, it bei appreciated that the upper and lower mica sheets serve to electrically isolate the conduct-ing element 60 from the sole plates I8 and 20. The

terminals 62 and 64 of the conducting element 60 project rearwardly from the base portion 62 of the heating element 22, for connection to the iron terminals 26 and 28 as hereinafter described. The heating element 22 is clamped between the upper and lower sole plates I8 and 20, by means of mounting studs 68 and 68, which pass through cooperating openings and 12 formed in the upper sole plate I8, and enter internally threaded openings I4 and I8, which-extend partially through the lower sole plate 20. The stud 68 is locked in place by means of the nut 18.

Theother mounting stud 68, extends upwardly from the upper sole plate I8 and constitutes the means by which the sole plates I8 and 20 in the heating element 22 are suspended within the The portion 42 constitutes an shell I6. The upper end of the stud 66 passes through an opening 00 formed in .tlie base of a depression 82 formed in the upper surface of the shell I6. Lock nuts 84 and 86 are provided on either side of the base 82. It will be appreciated that the lower sole plate 20 is slightly larger than the upper sole plate I8, so that when these two sole plates are connected together, a shoulder is he defined therearound, upon which'the lower marginal edge 88 of the shell I6 rests. A firm connection between the shell I6 and the sole plates I0 and 20 is thus provided, since the shell is clamped between the nut 84 and the just mentioned shoulder.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of-the element 24, of good heat conducting material, which is interposed between the upper and lower sole plates I8 and 20, and occupies the longitudinally extending space between the two legs 54 and 66 of the heating element 20. It will be appreciated that the Just mentioned space is slightly wider than the strip 24, so that the strip is out of conducting relation and so does not constitute a short circuit between the turns of the current conducting element 60. The element 24 thus constitutes a direct metallic conducting means between the upper and lower sole plates I8 and 20, and is held in place by the previously mentioned studs 66 and 68, which pass through openings 90 and 92 formed therein.

The provision of the just mentioned direct metallic heat conducting relation between the upper and lower sole plates is of particular importance in connection with irons of the present cordless type. This is for the reason that irons of this character are preferably provided with heating elements of relatively high wattage, since the heating action continues only so long as the iron is upon the associated stand and consequently,

such irons require sole plate structures having relatively great heat capacity. During the actual ironing interval, heat is of course dissipated from the iron to the article being ironed, the heat dissipation occurring directly by transfer from the lower surface of the lower sole plate 20. Moreover, the thermostatic control mechanism of the present invention is constituted by a bimetallic element, described below, in direct heat conducting relation to the under surface of the lower sole plate 20 when the iron is upon the stand. In order that the temperature of such lower surface may be maintained as nearly as possible at a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the sole plate structure as a whole, it is of course desirable to maintain an exceedingly good heat conducting relation between the upper and lower sole plate elements. This relation is promoted by the provision of the Just mentioned metallic heat conducting relation.

The upper sole plate- I8 is provided along its rear face with the downwardly presenting pockets 84 and 86, which constitute spaces to receive the inner ends of the terminals 26 and 28. Preferably, and as illustrated, blocks 98 and I00, formed of insulating material, such as porcelain, are interposed between the terminal ends and the surface of the sole plate I6, so as to minimize the transfer of heat from the sole plate struc and insulating washers I01 and I08. The studs I02 and I04 also constitute binding posts for the terminals 62 and 64 of the current conducting element 60.

In assembled position, it will be appreciated thatthe terminals 26 and 28 project rearwardly from the rear-end of the sole plate structure, into the space beneath the previously mentioned skirt 42 formed in the shell I6. It is preferred to interpose a shield, such as I I between the sole plate structure and the skirt portion. The shield I I0 is provided with cut-outs H2 and H4, which accommodate the terminals'26 and 28 and are large enough to be separated therefrom by an insulating air space. The shield H0 is secured to the shield by the previously mentioned handle mounting stud 38, which passes through'an open ing provided in a laterally turned ear I I6 formed in the shield.

With particular reference to the stand I2, and referring particularly to Fig. 1 and to Figs. 3 to 8, the stand I2 is preferably formed as a longitudinally extending platelike structure, having a generally planar upper surface II8 whichcon-v forms generally to the shape of the iron, and

extends entirely therefrom around and may be provided at intervals with inwardly projecting feet, upon which the stand is adapted to rest.

The stand I2 is also preferably provided with an upwardly projecting rail'portion I22, which extends around the surface area II8. The rail I22 is preferably substantially increased in height throughout the forward portion I24 thereof, so as to constitute a guiding surface to facilitate the placing of the iron I0 upon the stand I2. At its rear end, the stand I2 is provided with .the generally horizontal lateral shoulder portions I26 and I28, and an intermediate raised portion which constitutes a housing for the hereinafter described terminal structure and a part of the adjusting mechanism.

In accordance with the arrangement disclosed and claimed in the previously identified co-pending application of Ralph H. Beach, Serial No. 23,616,'the iron I0 is suspended upon the stand l2 entirely by means of the bi-metallic element, designated as a whole as I32, and by the fixed terminals 44 and 46, which cooperate with the iron terminals 26 and 28, respectively. The under side, or ironing surface of the iron, is maintained in spaced relation to the generally planar upper surface portion .8 of the stand, which relationship is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, and, for

this purpose, the bi-metallicelement I82 and the 55 terminals 44 and 46 are, accordingly, positioned above the general level of the surface area H8.

The terminal structure for the stand I2 oomprises the previously mentioned terminals 44' and.

46, which are resiliently and yieldably supported within an insulating block structure I84, housed within the previously mentioned rearwardly projecting housing part I3I of the stand I2. The

housing part I3I is provided with longitudinally 1 extending slots I36 and I38, which open through 65 the upper surface thereof, and afford access to the terminals 44 and 46 therewithin. The corners of the portions I40 and I42 ar'e'rounded, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4, so as to facilitate both the passage of the skirt portions 48 and 50 of the shell I6 thereover and also to facilitate the movement of the-terminals. 26 and 28 into the portions 48 .and 50 -of the shell I6 to have a definite guiding function, the side areas I44 and w I46 of the portions I40 and I42 are slightly inwardly depressed, and the corners I48 and I50 of these portions are rounded. The skirt por-.

part of the stand I2, allowing the front portion of the lower sole plate 20 to rest upon the bimetallic mechanism I32, and allowing the rear skirt portion of the shell I6 to rest uponthe housing portion I3I of the stand. By virtue of the previously described rounded corner relations and of the skirt portions 48 and 50, these portions of the iron and stand cooperate with each other so as to guide the iron readily into proper position upon the stand. Little if any effort is. thus required in-order to insure that the terminals 26 and 28 enterv into engagement with the terminals 44 and 46..

The terminals 44 and 46 are each of the plunger type, and are spring biased to the illustrated upper position shown in Fig. 4 by compression having a downwardly depending flange I20 which cured within bores provided therefor in the terminal block I34. In the raised positions of the terminals 44 and 46, the lower ends thereof are out of engagement with cooperating terminals I64 and I66. The terminal I66 is directly con- I nected to the wire I61 of the supply cord I68, as

clearly appears in Figure l. The other fixed terminal I64 is connected, through the hereinafter described thermostatically controlled switch I10 (Figures 5 and 6) to binding post I'll. Post 4 III, in turn, is directly connected to theother wire I68 of cord I68.

It will thus be appreciated that when the iron I0 is removed from the stand I2, the terminals 44 and 46 are separated from terminals I64 and I66 and so are positively disconnected from the source of current, so that even though a conducting instrument should be introduced into engagement with the upper ends of the terminals .44 and 46, no electrical contact would result. On

the other hand, when the iron is rested upon the stand, in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the iron terminals 26 and 28 resting upon the upper ends of the terminals 44 and 46, the weight of the iron forces these terminal members 'downwardly against the forces of the compression springs I52 and I54 (Fig. 4) bringing the lower ends of the terminals into engagement with the cooperating terminals I64 and I66. The latter. terminals are preferably slightly yieldable, so that they can give somewhat under the weight of the iron. In their lower positions the contacts I64 and I86 abut an insulating support I65. When the iron is in the just mentioned position, with the terminals 28 and 28 in conducting engagepreciated that the side portions 48 and 50 of the' skirt 42 on the shell I6 completely enshroud the lateral sides of the terminals portion I3I on the stand I2, thus preventing access to the terminals 26 and28 from the side of the Iron; At the same time, the rear marginal edge N2 of the just mentioned skirt 42 on the shell I6 is received in a transversely extending groove I14, formed at the rear edge of the portion I80. The depth of the groove I" is such that the Just mentioned lower ment with the terminals 44 and 46, it will be ap-' marginal edge lies in spaced relation to the base thereof, so that the proper terminal connecting action is not interfered with. However, the marginal edge I12 effectively shrouds the rear end of the iron and positively prevents access to the terminals 28 and 28 from the rear of the iron. With this relation, it will be appreciated that when the iron is on the stand, all conducting parts thereof are completely shrouded. The above described terminal structure for the stand I2 is supported within the portion I38 of the stand by means of a supporting plate I18, which extends transversely across the' back portion ofthe stand in spaced relation below the under side thereof, and is secured thereto by means of studs I18 and I80, which may be screwed into-bosses I8I and I83, which extend downwardly from the under side of the shoulder portions I28 and I28 of the base. A stud I82 extends between the mounting plate I18 and the insulating block I34. In addition, the stud I82 and a cooperating intermediate lock nut I84 act to secure the terminals I84 and I88 of the stand, these contacts being carried on a cross-member I88, whichis provided with an opening to accommodate stud I82. s A

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the previously identified bi-metallic unit I32 comprises a usual bi-metallic strip I98, the so-called free end whereof, of generally strip form, extends through an enlarged opening I82in the surface portion I I8 of'the stand, and is provided with a suitable adjustable tip I84. Tip I84 comprises a stud, threaded through the bi-metallic strip I98, and held in a selected position of adjustment thereon ,by means of a lock nut I88. It will be appreciated that the stud I84 may be suitably adjusted to determinethe effective position of the free end of the bi-metallic stripdll. The outer endof the bi-metallic strip I8ljis rigidly clamped between a pair ofcooperating contact discs I88 and 288, the upper one whereof is provided with a downwardly proj'ecting boss portion 282, whichis received in an opening provided therefor in the bimetallic strip I88 and in corresponding openings provided therefor in the lower disc 288 and in the insulating supporting member 284. A stud 285 extends upwardly through an opening in the portion I I8 of the stand I2 and is threaded into the upper disc I88, thus drawing the two discs tightly together, and wedging the bi-metallic strip I98 therebetween. -It will be appreciated that. the

upper surface of the disc I88 is of generally planar form, and is in direct surface contact engagement with the under side of the iron I8 when the latter is placed'up'on the stand. By virtue of the air space between the under side of the iron and the generally planar portion I I8 of the stand I2, whereby the only metallic contact between the iron and the stand is through the terminals 44 I and 48 and the bi-metallic. structure I32, it will be appreciated that substantially all heat dissi-,

" abuts the surface II8 of the stand I2, and. at

intervals, the shroud 288 is provided with tongues 2I8, which are passed through corresponding openings provided in the surface. H8 and are swaged over, so as to hold the shroud 286 ii place. With this relation, the shroud 286 constitutes a relatively rigid effective enclosure for the contact disc I98, thus preventing the latter from being subjected to jarring movemer ts when the iron is placed on the stand, and correspondingly preventing injurious jarring movements being transmitted to the bi-metallic strip I98.

The automatic switch unit I18 preferably follows the construction disclosed in the above identified copending application of Ralph H. Beach, Serial No. 23,616, and, for the purposes of.the present invention, may be characterized as comprising a suitable housing 228, within which a contact strip 222 is mounted. The contact strip 222 is fixed to the housing at one end thereof by means of the binding post 224, and the otherwise free end of the strip 222 is normally retained by the characteristics of the strip in engaging relation to the other binding post 228. As is described in more detail in the above identified copending application, the strip 222 may be slightly deformed in the region indicated by the reference character X, so that when this deformed area is depressed by the actuating plunger 228, the strip 222 is caused to rapidly snap from a closed to an open position. The plunger 228 extends outwardly of the switch housing-228, and is provided at its outer end with a slotted portion 238, which freely accommodates the free end 232 of the hereinafter described adjustingmechanism 234. The switch I18 is rigidly secured to the under side of the portion 8 of the stand.

The particular connections of the switch I10 to the terminal structure for the iron may follow the arrangement disclosed in detail in the above identified copending application. For the purposes of the present application, it is sufficient to note, as is indicated by the legends appearing in Figure 6, that the binding post 228 is Dermathe switch I18 and the iron heating element in series circuit relation.

As long as the temperature oi the bi-metallic strip I98 is below a certain value, it will be appreciated that the free end I94 thereof occupies aposition such as that shown in Fig. 5, in which the plunger 228 is freely spaced from the switch contact strip 222, so that the latter occupies its normal closed position. If, under these conditions, the iron is placed upon the stand, the heating circuit is, completed therethrough, and the temperature of the iron is correspondingly increased. By virtue of the relatively high wattage of the iron heating element, the temperature of the iron rapidly rises, which rise in temperature is accompanied by a bending or flexing of the bi-metallic strip I00, which flexure causes the free end I34 thereof to move to the right, as

viewed in Fig. 5, and ultimately to force the plunger 226 to the right into forcible contact with the switch contact strip 222. This action, as previously described causes the switch to snap from the closed to the open position, interrupting the heating circuit. As the temperature of the bi-metallic strip I30 falls, the free end l04f "thereof moves to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, and ultimately this movement progresses to such an extent that the switch I is enabled to snap to the. closed position, such closure recompleting the heating circuit, providing the iron i0 is still located upon the stand.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 6,

7, and 8, the previously described temperature vadjusting "mechanism for the iron comprises a bar structure 234, formed'oftwo bars 232 and 236. The bar 236 extends between-therear end of the stand and the forward portion thereof, and is provided at its forward end with the previously mentioned tapered bar 232. The bar 236 is provided along its length with elongated slots 236 and 240, andthese slots accommodate studs 242 and 244, respectively, which are screwed into appropriate'bosses providedftherefor in the base structure. A relatively loose fit is provided between the slots 238 and 240 and the just mentioned studs, thus permitting the bar 236 to slide longitudinally of the iron. It will be appreciated that a movement to the right of the bar 236 brings portions of the bar 232 of increasing width between the ends of the bi-metallic strip I90 and the switch actuating plunger 228. In

its extreme right hand position of adjustment,

the portion of greatest width of the bar 232 is thus effective to control the switch operation and in the extreme lefthand position of the adjust ing mechanism, the portion of minimum width of the bar 232 is effective to control the switch operation. It will be appreciated that the degree of movement of the bi-metallic strip I30, which is required to actuate the switch l'lll depends.

upon the width of the effective portion of the bar 232. Accordingly, the left hand position of the adjusting mechanism corresponds to a high temperature setting of the iron and the right hand limit position thereof corresponds to a low temperature setting of the iron.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a lost motion connection between the bars 236 and 232 of the adjusting 1 mechanism. As illustrated, this lost motion connection is afforded by extending the slot 240 very nearly to the end of the bar 236, and forming a pin connection, by means of the pin 246, be-

. sary to move the bars 232 and 236 to the right,

thus bringing'a wider portion of the bar 232 between the switch actuating stud 223 and the bi-' v.imetallic strip "0. v If this adjustment occurs at a time 'when'the 'bi-metallic. strip' lil is at a relatively low temperature, sumcient space is affordstrip I" to accommodate such additional width. If such adjustment is made,-however, at a time when the ironis on the stand and the bi-metallic 6 strip I36 is at a relatively high temperature, it

will be appreciated that the adjusting movement could only be eflected-byforcibly separating the plunger 220 and the bi-metallic' strip. Such forcible separation might damage the bi-metallic l0 strip and the switch. With the present arrangement, however, utilizing the lost motion connection, the. .bar 236 may be moved to the right to the selected position-of adjustment, during which movement-the bar 232 remains stationary. As

soon as the temperature of the bi-metallic strip 100 has fallen sufficiently to provide room for the bar 232, the tension spring 240 associated therewith becomes eflective to move it to the right,

A again bringing the pin 246 into abutting relation to the end of the slot 240.

In accordance'with the present illustrated embodiment of the invention, the movements of the bars 222 and 236 to the right and to the left, as viewed in Figure 6, are effected by means of 15 a manually operated control'member 260, conveniently mounted at the rear of the iron in upwardly projecting relation to the housing portion I of the stand l2. The control member 260 is connected to a stud 262, which extends down- 30 wardly through the housing portion J30, and

through an opening provided therefor in the previously mentioned base plate I16. At its lower end, the stud 262.15 suitably keyed to a pinion- 264, which meshes with rack teeth 266 formed sat the end of the bar 236. The pinion 264 is maintained in correct axial position on the stud 262 by means of a washer 268, which also .is disposed beneath the end of the bar 234 and serves toretain-the pinion. and rack teeth in 0 meshing relation to each-bther.

Although only a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, it, will be appreciated that various modifications of the form,

be made within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is: 1. In thermostatic control mechanism including 2a thermostatically responsive element, a .swit h operator disposed to be actuated by said element, an adjusting element interposed between said flrst mentioned element and said op-- erator and adjustable as to position therebetween so as to determine the temperature setting of said mechanism, a control member foradjusting the position of said adjusting element, and means forming a lost motion connection between said control member and said adjusting element.

2. In thermostatic control mechanism including a thermostatically responsive element, a switch operator disposed to be actuated by said element, an adjusting element interposed between said first mentioned eleinent and said operator and adjustable as to position therebetween so as to determine the temperature setting of said mechanism, a control member for adjusting the position of said adjusting element, connections between said control member and said 'adjusting element adapted to permit-an adjusting movement of said control member without requiring an adjusting movement of said adjusting element, and means acting on said adjusting elemen: to urge it to take up said adjusting movemen p 3. In thermostatlc'control mechanism, inc1uding a thermostatically responsive element and a ed between the plunger 2:: and the bi-metallic' 7 member, and arrangement of parts thereof, may I switch operator disposed for movement'by said element, the combination of an adjusting element interposed between said thermostatic element and said operator and movable in a predetermined direction to adjust the temperature setting of said mechanism, said adjusting element being of progressively increasing width transversely of said direction, a control device operable to move said adjusting element in said direction so as to selectively interpose parts of increasing and decreasing width thereof between said thermostatic element and said operator, and connections between said control device and said adjusting element constructed and arranged so that a movement of said adjusting devicein a direction to cause a portion of increasing width of said adjusting element to be interposed between said thermostatic element and the said operator can be made without requiring a corresponding adjusting movement of said adjusting element.

4. In thermostatic control mechanism, including a thermostatically responsive element and a switch operator disposed for movement by said ment of said adjusting device in a direction to cause a portion of increasing width of said adjusting element to be interposed between said thermostatic element and the said operator can be made without requiring a corresponding adjusting movement of said adjusting element, said connections being such that an adjusting movement of said control device in an opposite direction positively causes a corresponding movement of said adjusting element.

5. In thermostatic control mechanism, including a thermostatically responsive elementand a switch operator disposed for movement by said element, the combination of an adjusting element interposed between said thermostatic element and said operator and movable in a predetermined direction to adjust the temperature setting of said mechanism, said adjusting element being of progressively increasing width transversely of said direction, a control device operable to move said adjusting element in said direction so as to selectively interpose parts of increasing and decreasing width thereof between said thermostatic element and said operator, connections between said control device and said adjusting element constructed and arranged so that a movement of said adjusting device in a direction to cause a portion of increasing width of said adjusting element to be interposed between said thermostatic element and the' said operator can be made without requiring a corresponding adjusting movement or said adjusting element, said connections being such that an adjusting movement of said control device in an opposite direction positively causes a corresponding movement of said adjusting element, and means acting on said adjusting element to urge it to take up said adjusting movement of said control device in said first direction.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a longitudinally extending stand, a

thermostatic, element disposed upon said stand adjacent one end thereof, a switch operator disposed on said standin a position to be actuated between said control device and said adjusting element. A

AVERY B. CHERETON, 

